Message register circuit for telegraph exchanges



April 18, 1933. A. B. DlcKINsoN 1,904,278

MESSAGE REGISTER CIRCUIT FR TELEGRAPH EXCHANGES Filed Jan. 27, 1932 4 sheets-sheet 1 ovm TTORNE V April 18, 1933- A. aplcKlNsoN 1,904,278

MESSAGE REGISTER'CIRCUIT FOR TELEGRAPH EXCHANGES Filed Jan. 27,. 1952 4 Sh.e,tS-Sheet 2 OTHER POSITIONS OTHER P0 5 l TIO/V POLAR/Z /N VEN TOR A. B. DICK/NSON A TTORNEV April-18, 1933. A. B. DlcKlNsoN 1,904,278

MESSAGE REGISTER CIRCUIT ECR TELEGRAPH EXCHANGES' Filed Jan. 27, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 AR/ZED ll T ' '1li/f3 /NVENTOP A B. DICK/NS ON Ek-wf ATTORNEY April 1.8, 1933. A. B. DlcKlNsoN MESSAGE REGISTER CIRCUIT FOR TELEGRPH EXCHANGES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 27. 1932 IHII i VEL lll-lll l /NVENTOR A.B.D/CK/N$ON 6V. ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 18, 1933 .xr ,Fries Y ALLAN B. DCKINSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB. TO BELL TELEPHONE LABO RATORIES, INGORPORATECD.,v 0F. NEW YORK, lli..'Y.,..ry CORPORATION OF NEW YORK. i

MESSAGE REGSTEBT CIRCUIT FOR. TELGRAPH? EXCHANGl-ES` Applicationled January 27,1932. SeraiN'o. 589,196;

rlhis v invention relates to printing telegraph exchange systems andparticularly tol message register` circuitsfor use in connection therewith.`

' An object of the invention is to register each local call. completed by a subscriber' through a printing telegraph exchange.

The important part played bythe modern telephone exchange in our daily lives is of course well understood and, it iszlrnown that:

each subscriber may secure a. connectionV with another subscriber by signaling the exchange operator andy verbally giving. her the number of the desiredparty.'

There have recently beendevelopedprint-v ing telegraph yexchanges which= providev tov printing telegraph subscribers thesame service as is provided to telephone subscribers by. the telephone exchange. That is, eachprintIF ing telegraph subscriber may secure aconnec tion with another subscriber by signaling the printing telegraph exchange operator andinforining her concerning the identity of. the party desired.

The printing telegraph exchange system differs from the telephone' exchange system, however, in'v that all communications are by printing telegraphy and this` includes the transmittall by the calling party to the exchange operator of the number ofthe desired party as well as any acknowledgments, instructions or other information whichv the operator may wish to transmit to either calling or called subscriber. For a complete description of a printing telegraph exchange system of the'above nature which embodies features similar, broadly, tothose of the system in connection with which the present invention is to be described, reference may be made to the 9 copending application of' George A. Locke and Fullerton S. Kinlread, Serial'No. 459,684', tiled June 7, 1930.

In connection with a printing telegraph exchange of this nature, it is desirable, ini order that each subscriber may be charged a fee in proportion to the service which has been rendered him, that means be providedV for recording upon a register individual to his line, each call which has been initiated from his station and successfully completed throughfthe exchange and-as stated abovetit isan object of this invention toprovide such aservice; Y j f v According to onefeatureof'thefinvention the calling 'subscriberfsregisten issoperated au'` 55' tomatically. during. the initiation! andcompletion of af connection ;.that-.is, noaction. is re` quired cnithe partof the operator'V to register the callotherthan the usual steps-.of answer.i ing the call and. completingthe connection.

As descr-ibedlinI the copendingiv applicationk ofLocle andKinlzead, .above referredto, ita. called subscriber-be absentffromhis station .the operator may ,by` remote controlf start the Y printer` at the calledstation in onder` that the.Y 65' calling party may transmit .afmessagethereto' and, accordingto asecondfeature ofthis in# vention, ai connectionI completed1 inithis mani ner-may berecordedI onthei register of the calling, part-y.

Other. features ,of .the inventionwill be aps.` parent from the following. descriptionwhen. considered in connection. with. the. appended. drawings iniwhichz'A l Fig. l, shows a` subscribersline. and` sta.- 75: tion-,circuits Figs. 2 and 3.- showv the centralf oiiice-cordI circuit;

Fig, tshowsthe operators circuit;

Fig. 5 shows schematic .forlnamodifica.-` 8W tion ofthe message register circuitV arranged. for manual control; andk y Fig. 6 shows how Figs. l, 2,. 3,' and 4 should'. be arranged tol disclose the system describedV in the specification. v 85 In order to illustrate the-.operationofthe message registering arrangement wherein this invention resides, the progress of a= local connection,l i. e., a connection between two subscribers having loop circuits which terminate in the same central ooe, will` be traced.

The features ofthe system apart from the message registering arrangementwill be describedonly'to` such length as appears necessaryto properly illustrate the invention. For example, in connection with the description of the operations at thek central oflceini answeringa call and'in connecting the operators monitoring vprinter to 'the calling partys line,

ice

it is not thought necessary to go into det-ail concerning the different contacts through which the latter connection is made inasmuch as none of these connections are involved in the circuit which controls the operation of the message register. The complete system is, however, shown in the drawings.

Referring to Fig. 1 which shows the subscribers loop circuit, the equipment above line X-X is located at the subscribers station while that below the line is located at the central office. The equipment at the sub- `scribers station comprises, in general, a printing telegraph sending and receiving unit comprising a printer magnet 1, a set of sending contacts 2, and a printerI motor 3 with which is associated a key 4 which is so designed that it may be operated by transmitting two impulses known as shift signals from the central oflice. External of the printer telegraph unit, but also located at the subscribers station are keys 5 and 128 for starting the printer set motor' when answering or initiating a call, emergency stop key 6 for stopping the motor, a test key 7, a ringer 8 by means of which the central office attendant may signal the subscribers station, sources of alternating current 98 and 99, a rectifier 37 and various relays and other apparatus which will be mentioned when tracing the connection.

As shown below the line X--X of Fig. 1, the subscribers line terminates at the central office in a jack 9. Other jacks 10, 11 and 45 for testing purposes are also provided as well -as a line lamp 12 by means of which the subscriber may signal the exchange attendant. A message register' 13 is provided individual to the subscribers line for the purpose of registering each connection completed from the line through the central office. The winding of this registering device is of such a resistance that the 24 volt battery of the central office supply will not energize the winding sufliciently to attract the armature thus registering a call. 48 volts will, however, when passed through the winding operate the armature to register a call. Various relays are also shown in this figure, the operation of which will be described when tracing the progress of the connection.

Figs. 2 Iand 3 show the repeater cord circuit, located at the central office and used in establishing a connection between two local subscribers stations of the type shown in Fig. l. This circuit includes an answering plug 14, calling plug 15 and the necessary relays, signals, batteries, etc., for `answering` a call and completing a connection including an arrangement for repeating the signal impulses which may be one of several well known types, for example, that disclosed in Patent 1,479,430 issued January 1, 1924 to J. M. Fell. Included lalso are certain relays and sources of current provided for the specific purpose of bringing about the operation of message register- 13 of the subscribers line (Fig. 1) each time a connection has been completed from said line through the central oliice.

Fig. 4 shows the operators printer telegraph circuit used for communicating, by means of printing telegraphy, with the subscribers during the establishment of a connection. The operators telegraph set consists of a printer motor 17, an alternating current source 18, therefor, a stop key 19, sending contacts 20, and a printer magnet 21, the set being connected to the operators circuit by jacks 22 and 23 and plugs 24 and 25. The operators circuit is in turn connected to the cord circuit of Fig. 2 through key 26. ther similar keys known as team keys are usually provided for each operators position but as this invention is not concerned with this feature of the system, only one key has been shown in order to avoid complication of the figures. Having briey discussed the various circuits involved, the establishment of a connection between two local subscribers will now be traced. Referring to Fig. 1, under normal conditions the tip side of the subscribers loop passes through contact 79 of test key 7, one winding of relay 30, the sending contacts 2 of the printer, winding of relay 31, contact 77 of key 7, upper break contact of relay 32 to ground 33. The ring is also connected to ground through key 97 condenser 34, ringer 8, contact 78 of key 7, upper break contact of relay 32 to ground 33. Assume now that the subscriber presses key 5 in order to initiate a call. rlhe operation of this key closes a circuit from one side of alternating current power supply 99, through the contacts of key 5, through the winding of relay 35 and to the other side of power supply 99, thus causing relay 35 to operate. Relay 35, when operated, locks up through its lower contacts, key 6, the control key 4 of the printer, lead 36, power supply 99 and through the winding of the relay. The operation of relay 35 closes a circuit, through its upper contacts to start the printer motorY 3 and also closes a circuit from alternating current supply 98 through the rectifier 37. Direct current supplied by rectifier 37 now operates relay 32 which removes the ground from the tip, opens the ringer circuit and closes the subscribers loop through the sending circuit of the printer. rl`he closing of the loop results in the operation of relay 40 at the central office, the circuit being traced from battery 41, upper break Contact of relay 42, winding 43 of relay 40, jacks 10, 11 and 45, break contacts of key 97, make contact of relay 32, contact 77 of key 7, winding of relay 31, contacts 2 of printer, winding of relay 30, contact 79 of key 7, break contacts of jacks 11 and 45, lower outer break contact of neen-,27s

relay 42: to ground; 44.. The t operationof. re; lay 40 causes `the operation.. ofi relayf 46 through; a circuit' from batteryV 47,` winding. of relay v46, make contact ofrelay 40 .to ground 48; The. operation of;- relay 46 in` turn; re.- sults in. .theV operation of 'relay 51l through` a circuit-'from battery49, .winding of relay: 51A, lowerinner break contact ofY relay 421v to ground: 510 on `make contact of relay 46. The operation of relay 512 completesfa circuit to energize line lamp 12 which serves tov notify the central office operator thatthesubscriber iscalling. The operation; of'relayf49y also connects battery 52't'hroughilower make-contact. ofy relay 51, one-winding'of relay'42. toy sleeve of jack` 9 thusplacingY a-z'busy' indication on this jack;v (The Voltage of battery. 52 is 24v and therefore does notv energize the winding. of message register 13suliicientlyfto attracty theV armature;) Relay. 42l does not" operate at this time,;asits windings are connected inV opposition;

The operator. upo'nrnoticing` that lamp 12 hasf been; lighted, answers the call by' plugging'heransweringplug14 int'ojack): Battery isY presenti on:` the-zsleeveof. the plug and relay 42 therefore operates at this time. The operat-ion of.relay.42:rernoves battery49 from thel tip' of theI loop and connects it throughl winding 541ofrelay 40and1also'removes battery 41 fromthei ring.- ofV theA loop and'Y conne'ctsv it through` the cord circuit. Both windingsof relay 40now being energized in opposition, this relay releases,` whichin` turn causes the release of relay 46. Theiopera tion of relayr42f also Opened the energizing circuit of relayf 51, releasing; itA and extinguishing linelainp' 12.' Gommunicationmay. now take' place between the operator and the calling subscriber..

Vheni the answering plug. 14 has been"V inserted intojack 9,` a circuiti is completed froinground 61 through the wi'ndinggofl relay 42,.sleeye of thejack and plug, winding 63 of relay 62,' winding o-fv relay 65-to laupotentiometer made up of; resistances 66 andl 67.. It being assumedthat this cordf is the' first to completethe sleeve circuit, the midpoint of the potentiometer will be negative withzrespectoto thesleeve and relays 62and 65 willioperat'e.. The operation of? relay 62 will close a. circuit from ground 70, make contact of relay`62,'. winding ofy relay 71 tobattery 72 and relay71V will. operate. rlheoperation of relay 71 closes a path; from battery 73,' upper. break contact of: relay 74, winding of'relayf75, upper inner make contact of relay 71,. winding 64 of relay 62,

sleeve of jack and' plug, winding ofv relay. 42, to ground. 61. This Vconstitutes the operating circuit of relay 75,. and the holding circuit: for rela-y'62. It will be noted that a.

circuit has alsonow been completed from battery 7 3, upper break contact of relay 74,

r* winding of relay 75,.upper inner make conwise stated, all batteries are'241yolts.) The,

operation ofV relay 62 also causes the operationY of relay 96 which applies ground totheY balancing' networks ofthe cord circuitreipeater.

Afterv theoperator has inserted her an.- swering plug 14 into jack 9, she operates'her. key 26 in order to connect her printerV Vin series with the answering side of the cord' Circuit repeater. As the calling side of the repeater is closed, the operator can transmit into and receive from the line to answering cord is connected.

The operator now, in order. to acknowledge the subscribers call, operates her'pri'nter setto send the word operator,opr. or. the like, which is typed on the receiving unit of the calling subscribers printer. The subscriber then answers byroperatinghis sending unit, to transmit to the operators printer setv information regarding the called' subscribers line. Let it be assumed that'fthe connection desired is a local connection, that is, a connection between subscribers whose lines terminate at the same central oliice. The operator now inserts her calling plug in the called subscribers line jack. It will be understood that the called'subscribers line and station equipment is exactly the same ask that of the callingsubscriber shown inl Fig. 1 and it will not therefore be separately: il`- lustrated, but reference'will again be had to Fig. 1 when describing operations at the called subscriber-s station.

The insertion of calling plug 15 in 'jack 9 closes a circuit from battery through the winding of relay 101, sleeves of plug and jack, winding of relay 42 to groundv61 operating relays 101 and 42. The operation off relay 101 closes acircuit from groundthrough its upper make contact, throughthe winding of'relay 102 to battery, operating relay 102. The operation of relay 42 transfersthe tip side of the line from ground 44 to a circuit' throughwinding 54 of relay 40 to batteiry 90.

Relay will now operate on: a circuit from battery 90, jack 10, break contact of; relay 103, winding 54 of relay V40, lower. outer make 42, jacks 11 and 45,.through: contact 79 of key 7, winding of relay 30,`

Contact of relay printer contacts 2, winding of relay 31, contact 77 of key 7 ,break Contact of: relay 32 to ground 33. The operation of relay 4O'inr turn operates relay 46 on acircuit from battery 47 through winding of relay 46 to ground 48. The operation of relay 46 places ground on the tip of the cord circuitv and completes a circuit from ground 50` windingA of relay the-resistance of its winding` 1s which the.

103, tip of jack 9 and plug 15, lower middle make contact of relay 102, lower inner break contact ot relay 104, upper break contact of relay 105, lower inner break contact of relay 106, upper outer break contact of relay 107, winding of relay 108 to battery, operating relay 108. ltwill be noted that at this time a circuit is also closed from the same ground 50) on the tip through the circuit previously traced as far as lead 109, then branching through load 110 and through the winding ot polarized relay 111 to battery 112 which operates the armature of the polarized relay 111 to ground 113. rlhe operation of relay 108 will close a circuit to operato relay 107, traced 'from battery through winding of relay 107, lower inner make contact ot relay 1.06 to ground on tip previously traced in connection with describing operation of relay 108. The operation oi relays 107 and 108 causes calling cord lamp 114 to l e lighted through a circuit from battery 115, lamp` 114, lower outer make contact of relay 108 to ground 116 and also closes the calling side of the repeater to keep the printing circuit closed.

rllhe operator now signals the called subscriber by operating ringing key 117 to E which applies ground to the winding of relay 118 operating it. rlhe operation ot relay 118 closes a circ1 it through its lower make contact (now connected to ground 50 through circuits previously traced) through the winding ot relay 106 to battery operating it. Relay 106 by its operation opens the holding circuits of relays 108 and 107 causing the" release. When the two last mentioned relays are released, the energizing circuit for calling lamp 114 is broken and the lamp is extinguished. The operation of relay 106 also closes the calling si-de of the repeater and connects battery 119 to ringing guard lamp 120 and also to the winding of relay 121. Lamp 120 will light and the winding of relay 121 being closed from battery through an interrupter 122 to ground, this relay will be repeatedly operated for 2.0 seconds and released for 4.0 seconds. At each operated position of relay 121 ringing current from source 123 is applied to the subscribers line while for each released position battery 124 is applied thereto (these circuits 'being from the upper contacts of the relay) and this alternate battery and ringing current, which it will be understood operates the signal bell at the subscribcrs station, will continue to be applied to the line until the subscriber answers.

It will be noted, at this point, that for each released position of relay 121 battery 126 is applied to lead 125 through the lower break contact of the relay. rfhis lead associated with the winding of relay 74 which is one ot the relays controlling the operation of message register 13 at the calling subscribers station, it will be remembered that ground is present on the other side of the winding of relay 74 due to the prior operation of polarized relay 111 to ground 113. It is not desirable that the message register should operate at this stage of the connection, however, as the called subscriber has not yet responded and in order to prevent the operation of relay 74 at this time (which in turn would operate the message register) a short-circuiting path for battery 126 is temporarily provided through lead 127 to the tip ground y50 of the station line.

Assuming that the called subscriber is present at his station, he will answer the call by pressinghis answering key 128 which starts his printer set in the manner described above in connection with the operation of calling key 5 by the calling subscriber. vAs above described, relays 40 and 46 at the called subscribers station now release. Ground 50 is removed from the tip circuit and relay 106 releases extinguishing ringing guard lamp 120. The release of relay 106 opens the operating circuit of relay 121 which now therefore remains released. The ring circuit has now been restored to normal and communication may take place.

As the called subscriber has now responded and the connection requested by the calling subscriber has been completed, 'it is desirable that the message register 13 of the calling subscribers line should now be operated to register the call. The register does, in fact, operate at this time in the `following manner:

As stated above, when the called subscriber answered, the ground 50 was removed from the tip which means that the short-circuiting path to ground through lead 127 for battery 126 is no longer present. We have, therefore, a circuit from battery 126, lower break contact of relay 121 through winding of relay 74 t0 ground 118 on relay 111 and relay 74 will operate. The operation of relay 74 the replacement of the normal 24 volt battery 7 3, of 48 volt battery 129 and we now have a circuit from battery 129, upper make contact of relay 74, winding of relay 75, upper inner make contact ot relay 71, winding 64 of relay 62, sleeves of plug 14 and jack 9, winding of message register 13 to ground 76. As the message register is designed to operate on 48 volts, it will operate over the above circuit and the completed connection will be registered. 'The 48 volt battery is only present on the above circuit m0- mentarily for as relay 74 operates, it completes a second circuit from battery 1127 winding of polarized relay 111 to ground 130 on the lower make contact of relay 74. This circuit operates relay 111 to its open contact 131, thus opening the circuit through the winding of relay 74, causing its release and the replacement of the normal 24 volt battery on the operating circuit of relay 75. In orthe same call.

neo/1,5378

der to preclude anypossibility of the message register operating more than once during the same connection, a holding path through the first winding and contact 132 has been provided which, once the register has been operated onthe 48 volt battery, will hold it operated on the 24 volt battery. The message register is therefore held in an operated position until, at the completion of the call, plug 14 is withdrawn from jack 9, opening the circuit through its winding and returning it to normal position until the neXt connection. f

As the operation of the message register has been described, it is not thought necessary to describe progress of. the call any further. It is sufficient to say that after the called subscriber has answered the call byoperating his key 128, he sends some acknowledgment on his printer set which is received y on. the printer sets ofboth the operator and the `calling subscriber. The operator monitors on the connection until the subscribers are in satisfactory communication when she disconnects her set by restoring her key 26 to its normal position. When the call has been completed, the subscribers restore their circuits to normal by pressing their stop keys 6.' In the course of restoring the subscribers circuits to normal, the supervisory lamps 114 and 133 are lighted notifying the operator that the connection. has been completed. 'She will then remove the answering and calling plugs from theirv associated jacks and the cord l circuit will be restored to normal.

The device does not operate until the connection. has been actually completed and then remains operated until the connection has been broken down, which avoids the possi-` bility of. more than one registration during The introduction of this device has not added to the duties of the operator and yet provides a means'of assuring the registering of each connection completed.

As mentioned above it isan important .feature of this invention that calls completed for a subscriber to an unattended station are recorded on the calling subscribers register. To illustrate how such a connection is recorded let us assume that, in case of the connection traced ab ve, after the operator has plugged hercalling cord 15 into the called subscribers jack and, after applying ringing current to his line for a reasonable time, has found that he did not answer the call. rlhe operator would then operate her printer set to send a messageto the calling subscriber informing him that the called subscriber was absent from his station and asking him if he desired her (the operator) to, -by remote control, start the printer set at the called station in order that the calling-party might transmit a message thereto. Assuming that the calling party desired suc-h a service, the operator would operate her unattended key 134 which completes a circuit to operate relay 105. The operation of this relay momentarily applies positive battery 135. to the tip of the cord. circuit (relay 102 is atpresent operated). This positive battery passes through the winding ofrelay 103 at the unattended station (which is a polarized relay, the normal direction of current through it being such as to hold it unoperated) and operates it which connects positive battery 41 to the rtip of the subscribers loop (relay 42 is at present operated).l This positive battery operates relay 31 (circuit traced through tipf'c'ontact 79 of key 7, relay 30contacts 2V, winding of relay 31, contact '77 of key V7, make contact of relay 32 to ground 33), which like relay 103 is a polarized relayheld unoperated by the direction of the current normally flowing through it.v The operation of relay 31 completes a circuit through its make contact which is the same as that completed when either key 5 or 128V is operated by the subscriber. The subscribers printer set is put into operationV in the manner described above in connection with the called subscriber answering the call, ring ingguard lamp 120 is extinguished, and the operator releases her unattended key 134 and notifies the calling party that the printer sety at the called station has been started and that a message may be transmitted thereto. ln accordance with my invention the message register 13 at the calling station is caused to operate in order to register the call at the time the printer set at the called station is put into operation by the operator. The circuit by which this registration is obtained. is the same as that used when a call is completed to an attended station. Relays 40 and 46 are released after the operation of relay 31 just as they released after key 128 had been operated asl described above in the instance where theV called party was present at his station to answer the call. As also described above, ground 50 is removed from the tip andand relays 106 and121 are released. The removal of ground from the tip as above described opens the short-circuiting path through lead 127 and completes an operating circuit for relay 7 4. rIhe operation of relay 7 4 momentarily places 48 volts on the winding ofy message register 13V operating it to register the connection. It will be understood, therefore., A

that this inventionprovides a means for registering such calls completed to unattended stations, and, further, that exactly the same apparatus and circuits are used for registering each type of call, i. e., those answered by the called subscriber and those completed to unattended stations. The latter feature is especially valuable as it aids in minimizing control of the operator. Accordingly there is illustrated in F ig. 5 an embodiment of the invention in which the operator has control of the registration. This modification is shown in a more or less schematic form as the method of operation is in general similar to the automatic system already described in detail. For example, the wiring of plug 14, relay 62 and relay 71 is exactly the same as before and only that portion of their circuits having a part in the operation of the message register has been completely shown. lt will be noted, however, that additional contacts have been provided on the operators key 26, controlled by swinging contacts 136 `and 137 thereof, which when the latter is operated, connect into the circuit associated message register keys, the operation of which, in turn, substitutes 48 volt battery for the 24 volt battery normally connected through the winding of relay 75. It will be remelnbered that in the instance of the automatic system previously described, this substitution was brought about by the operation of relay 74.

To illustrate the operation of the manually controlled system, let us assume, referring to Fig. 5, that the operator answers the calling subscribers signal by inserting her answering plug 14 in subscribers jack 9 and opervates her listening key 26 to connect her printer set with th-e line. The operation of key 26 transfers the 24 volt battery on the winding of relay 7 5 from break contact 138 of key 26 to break contact 139 of message register key 140. It is assumed that the left section of key 26 has been operated. Had the right section been operated, the battery of relay 7 5 would, of course, be found on break contact 141 of message register key 142. Relay 71 having operated through the circuit described in connection with the automatic system, a circuit may now be traced from battery 143, break contact 139 of key 140, make contact 144 and break contact 145 of key 26, winding of relay 75, make contact of relay 71, winding 64 of relay 62, sleeve of jack and plug, winding of message register 13 to ground 76. The message register does not operate at this time, however, for as lstated above, its winding is of such a value that it will not operate on 24 volts but on the other hand will operate on 48 volts. After the called subscriber has answered or at any other period of the connection, when the operator may wish to record the call on message register 13, she has but to operate message register key 140 which substitutes 48 volt battery 146 for' the normal 24 volt battery 143. Message register 13 will operate and will then be locked up by the 24 volt battery through the first winding and contact 132 to ground 76 until the connection.,

has been broken down by withdrawal of plug 14 from the subscribers jack.

While arrangem-ents are frequently included in printing telegraph exchange systems whereby toll connections, i. e., connections between subscribers of different exchange areas may be completed (by means, for example, of circuits of the type described in the copending applicationof Locke and Kinkead previously referred to) such circuitshave not been described in connection with the present invention as the register contemplated thereby is designed to operate to record the completion of local connections only.

What is claimed is:

1. A telegraph exchange system comprising a central. oliice and a plurality of subscribers7 telegraph printer ystations any two of which stations may be connected through said central office as desired, and including means, under control of the central otiice attendant, whereby apparatus at an unattended subscribers station may be set into operation in order to record a message transmitted through said central office by a second subscriber, characterized in this, that means individual to said second subscribers station are provided for registering each connection completed fromr his station to an unattended station.

2. ln a telegraph exchange system, comprising a central olllce and a plurality of subscribers telegraph printer stations any two of which stations may be connected through said central oliice as desired and including means, under control of the central oflice attendant, whereby apparatus at an unattended station may beset into operation to record a message transmitted through the central oiiice by a second subscriber, registering means, individual to `the second subscribers station line, operating upon the starting of the apparatus at the unattended station and additional means for retaining said registering means in an operated condition until the apparatus at the unattended station has been stopped.

3. ln a telegraph exchange system comprising a central oliice, a subscribers tele-- graph printer station` a line for the subscribers station terminating at the central oflice,

a pluralityof other subscribers stations,

lines for the vother stations also terminating at the central oiiice and an interconnecting circuit for interchangeably connecting theV subscribers station line with certain of the other lines, a meter associated with the suberi.

scribers vline,operating means and retardingmeans both etiectiveatter Lthe subscribers station .line has "been connected to another line, ythe yoperating means tending to cause .the operation of the .meter and 'therel tarding means preventing Y'such operation and .means eective uponapparatus at the station ofthey other line being set into operation. orrendering .the retarding means ineffective. c

4. ln a telegraph exchange system comprising a central oice, a subscribers Vtelegraph printer station, a line for the subscribers station `Yterminating at thecentral oliice, a plurality of other subscribers stations, lin-es orthe other stations also Aterminating atthecentral oiiice andan interconnecting circuit .for interchangeably connecting the subscribeslstation linewith certain of the i other lines, a meter associated withthe Asubscribers stationline, afrelayiassociated with the interconnecting circuit which yby itsjoperation-causes the operation of the meter, meansoperable yafterthe subscribers station line has been connected vto another station line vforiproviding an operatinglpathfor the relay, and means for preventing the operationrot therelay until apparatus at fthestation of the other line hasbeen set into operation.

5. In la telegraph exchange system, comprising a centralloiiiice, aj-subscribers telegraph printer station, .alinefor the subscribers stationterininating atthe central otlice,

` a plurality ot other subscribeusstations,

lines `tor thel other stations. also terminating at v the Y centralv office and an interconnecting circuit for interchangeably connecting `.the thesubscribers station line with certain'oil the other lines,va meter associated with the subscriberls station line, andA means, eifective afterrthe subscribers station line has been connected to another station 'line .and apparatus at the station ofsaid other line has been -set tmtooperation, for completing .an

operating circuit lfor the meter.

6. In ya telegraphexchange system comprising a central oflice, a subscribers telegraph printer station, a line for thesubscribers-station terminating vatthe central office, aplurality of other subscribers stations, lines forlthe other stations also-terminating atthe central ofice and an interconnecting circuit Vfor Vinterchangeably connecting the subscribers station line `with certain of the otherlines, ameter associated vwith the subscribers station line, a relay associated with the interconnecting circuit whichby yits operation causes the operation of the meter, an

i operating path :tor thel relay established after the subscribers station f line has been i connected'to another station line, and means for preventing the operation oftlie relay -until apparatus at the station ofA the other linef has 5 Ybeen -set into operation,-saidlastmentioned means comprising-fa path to ground infpa-r-l allel to-.the operating path.

7. In a telegraph eXchange.-syste1n,rcom prising fa central zoice., :a `subs/cribers telegraph `printer station, :a line .for fthe esubscribers station .terminating atthe central oiiice,.a pluralityof other subscribers. stations, .lines :for the other stationsalsoterminating at the .central oice Aand :an .interconnecting .circuit for .interchangeably .connecting thesubscribers st'ationline with'certain of the other lines; a meter associated Iwith theV subscribers station line, a relayA associated with the interconnecting circuit which by its operationcausesthe operation ofrthe meter, an .operating path efor `the .relay established after iithe subscribers station 'line VVhas been connectedztoV another station line, means fior preventingithe `operation 'of the relay, and means .forrendering said preventing means ineffective :upon apparatus at r the `station `of the other line being setinto operation.

V8. .In a telegraph exchange system comprising a-.central oiiice,.a subscriber-@telegraph printer. station, a line for the-subscribers station'terminating atfthe central oliicea pluralityof other subscribers. stations, lines for the other stations also terminating at y'the central oice and yan interconectingcircuit for yinterchangeably `connecting :the Vsubscribers station line with certain of. the other lines, a meter associated with the subscriber@ stationline, a printer set atthe central oltice, two batteries associated with theinterconnecting circuit one being of higher voltage than theother, :a;ley. also associated with the interconnecting rcircuit for connecting the printer set thereto and Vfor connecting the battery of lower voltage tothe winding of' the meter and a second key operable to substitutefor'saidbattery the second battery of higher Voltagethereby causing the meter to operate.

:9.1111 a telegraph exchange system comprising 'a central oiiice, a subscriberstelegraph vprinter station, a line for the subscribers'station terminating at the central ollice, aplurality of other subscribers stations, lines for the other stations also terminating at the central oflice and an interconnecting circuit for interchangeably connecting the subscribers station line with certain of the otherzlines, a meter associated Vwith vthe subscribers station line, a printer set at the centralotice, two batteries associated with the interconnecting circuit one Vbeing of highervoltage than the other,l a key also assoc-iated With'thefinterconnecting circuit .for conne-ctingthe printer set thereto and forconnectingthe battery of lower voltage to the winding -of `the meter .and a second key operable to substitute for said bat-.

tery the second batteryV of higher Voltage thereby causing the meter to operate,

and .'meansjeiiective Lupen :operation of the meter for holding it in operated condition until the connection between the lines has been discontinued.

l0. In a telegraph exchange system, comprising a central otlice, a subscribers telegraph printer station, a line for the subscribers station terminating at the central otlce, a plurality of other subscribers stations, lines for the other subscribers stations also terminating at the central oiiice, and an interconnecting circuit at the central oiice for interchangeably connecting the subscribers station line with certain ot the other lines, a meter associated with the subscribers station line, a relay associated with the interconnecting circuit which by its operation causes the operation or" the meter, a battery also associated with the interconnecting circuit, means operable after the subscribers station line has been connected to another station line for establishing two paths to ground for the battery, one path leading through the winding of the relay and the other path diverting such a portion of the current from the rst path that the relay does not operate and means operable when apparatus at the subscribers station of the other line is set into operation, for removing the second path whereupon, due to the increased flow of current in the lirst path, the relay operates causing the operation of the meter.

ll. In a telegraph exchange system, comprising a central otiice, a subscribers telegraph printer station, a line for the subscribers station terminating at the central otice, a plurality of other subscribers stations, lines, 'for the other subscribers stations also terminating at the central otice, and an interconnecting circ-uit at'the central office for interchangeably connecting the subscribers station line with certain of the other lines, a meter associated with the subscribers station line, a relay associated with the interconnecting -circuit which by its operation causes the operation of the meter, a battery also associated with the interconnecting circuit, means operable after the subscribers station line has been connectedv to another station line for establishing two paths to ground for the bat-tei, one path leading through the winding of the relay and the other path diverting such a portion of the current from the i'irst path that the relay does not operate, means operable when apparatus at the subscribers station of the other line is set into operation, for removing the second path whereupon, due to the increasedflow of current in the rst path, the relay operates causing the operation of the meter, and means effective upon operation of the meter for holding it in operated condition until the connection between the lines has been discontinued.

l2. In a telegraph exchange system comprising a central oliice, a subseribers telegraph printer station, a line for the subscribers station terminating at the central otlice, a plurality of other subscribers stations, lines for the other stations also terminating at the central oiiice and an interconnecting circuit at the central oiiice for interchange# ably connecting the subscribers station line with certain of the other lines, a meterassociated with the subscribers station line, a relay associated with the interconnecting circuit which by its operation causes the operation of the meter, a battery associated with the interconnecting circuit, means operable after the subscribers station line has been connected to another station line for establishing two paths to ground for the battery, one path leading through the winding of the relay and the other path diverting such a portion of the current that the relay does not operate and means at the central oiiice for setting apparatus at the subscribers station of the other line into operation and for removing the second path whereupon, due to the increased iiow or current in the first path, the relay operates and causes the meter to operate.

13. In a telegraph exchange system comprising a central oiiice, a subscribers telegraph printer station, a line for the subscribers station terminating at the central oiiice, a plurality of other subscribers stations, lines for the other stations also terminating at the central oiiice and an interconnecting circuit at the central otce for interchangeably conn cting the subscribers station line with certain of the other lines, a meter associated with the subscribers station line, a relay associated with the interconnecting circuit which by its operation causes the operation of the meter, a battery associated with the interconnecting circuit, means operable after the subscribers station line has been connected to another station line for establishing two paths to ground for the battery, one path leading through the winding of the relay and the other path diverting such a portion of the current that the relay does not operate and means at the central oflice tor setting apparatus at the subscribers station of the other line into operation and Jfor removing the second path whereupon, due to the increased flow of current in the irst path, the relay operates and causes the meter to operate, and means effective upon the operation ot the meter for holding it in operated condition until the connection between the lines has been discontinued.

14. In a telegraph exchange system comprising a central oiiice, a subscribers telegraph printer station, a line for the subscribers station terminating at the central oliice, a plurality of other subscribers stations, lines for the other stations also terminating at the central oiice and an interconnecting circuit for interchangeably connecting the subscribers station line with certain of the other lines, a meter associated With the subscribers station line, a relay associated with the interconnecting circuit Which by its operation causes the operation of the meter, means operable after the subscribers station line has been connected to another station line for transmitting calling signals over the other line and for providing an operating path for the relay and means for preventing the operation of the relay until the vsubscriber at the station of the other line responds to the calling signals.

15. In a telegraph exchange system comprising a central oiiice, a subscribers telegraph printer station, a line for the subscribers station terminating at the central ofce, a plurality of other subscribers stations, lines for the other stations also terminating at the central office and an interconnecting circuit for interchangeably connecting the subscribers station line With certain of the other lines, a meter associated with the subscribers line, a relay associated With the interconnecting circuit Which by its operation causes the operation of the meter, operating means and retarding means both eective after the subscribers station has beenconnected to another line, the operating means tending to operate the relay and the retarding means preventing such operation, and means effective upon apparatus at the station of the other line being set into operation for rendering the retarding means inei'ective.

16. A system comprising a subscribers printing telegraph apparatus, a subscribers line, a. central exchange at Which said subscribers line terminates along With other subscribers7 lines, an interconnecting circuit for interchangeably connecting said subscribers line With other subscribers lines for intercommunication therebetween, a key in said interconnecting circuit and devices at said subscribers station operable under the influence of said key to set the motor of the subscribers printing telegraph apparatus into operation characterized in this, that a meter is provided at the central exchange for recording each time the motor is started v by means of said devices.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day of January, 1932.

ALLAN B. DICKINSON. 

